$21,100 dueling pistols aim high in auction of vintage firearms and militaria

$21,100 dueling pistols aim high in auction of vintage firearms and militaria

Taking place at Kunst und Waffenkammer, it will be unmissable for collectors of antique guns

Fans and collectors of vintage firearms won't want to miss an upcoming auction courtesy of German auctioneers Kunst und Waffenkammer.

Centred on antique pistols, the auction is also offering a range of militaria. For example there is a beautiful 16th century blade on offer. Bearing a royalhead mark, it has a German silver guard, with a lying deer and boar opposite each other.

Each is accompanied by two hunting dogs, and the whole is finely engraved and hallmarked. With a fine stag horn handle, the 74cm blade has scattered rust points which have been restored. Otherwise it is in very good condition.

The star of the show, however, is definitely a pair of 1850 dueling pistols.

The fine pair of duelling pistols

The 12.5 mm caliber pieces bear a Paris hallmark. They are highly decorated with acanthus leaves and blued bilge & grain, with gold worked into the mechanism.

The pair is presented in a mahogany case with an engraved brass monogram plate, gold-marked manufacturer's address and green velvet trim.

The accessories include: a charging hammer, ram rod and wipers, ball-nose pliers, powder measure, special screwdriver and ebony boxes for patches and caps. The 40 cm long guns are in very close to their original condition with negligible wear.

They are expected to sell for 13,000-14,500 ($21,100) in the auction which takes place on September 24 in Heilbronn, Germany and online.